What event marked the beginning of the American Revolution?

The Battles of Lexington and Concord are widely recognized as the events that marked the beginning of the American Revolution. These battles occurred on April 19, 1775, and were the first military engagements between British troops and colonial militia. Early in the morning, tensions that had been building up due to various colonial grievances erupted into open conflict when British forces attempted to confiscate colonial weapons stored in Concord.

The significance of the Battles of Lexington and Concord lies in the fact that they represented the transition from political dissent and protest to armed resistance. The phrase "the shot heard 'round the world" refers to the first shot fired at Lexington, symbolizing the start of open warfare between Britain and its American colonies. This event fundamentally altered the relationship between Britain and the colonies and set the stage for the larger conflict that would unfold during the American Revolution, culminating in independence.

Other events mentioned, such as the Boston Tea Party or the signing of the Declaration of Independence, were crucial in their own right but came later in the timeline of the Revolution. The Boston Tea Party was a protest against British taxation and showcased the rising dissent amongst the colonists. The Declaration of Independence formally declared the colonies' intention to break away from British rule but came after the initial hostilities had